2017 marks the 35th anniversary of Classic Canes (our favourite walking stick suppler). Here is a post (written by them) all about the company, founded in the autumn of 1982 by Ben and Diana Porter.

“Our story began when Ben and Diana bought a neglected woodland in Somerset in order to rebuild the ruined hunting lodge at its centre. While they were working on the house, they discovered that the surrounding woodland was naturally producing suitable raw material for walking sticks. To begin with, they cut the sticks and sold them to Coopers, a walking stick factory in Surrey. When delivering the sticks, they saw the finished products of the factory and decided to offer them to shops in their local area.

The first customers were gift shops, craft centres and tobacconists, whom Diana would visit with her samples and two small children:Charlotte and Johnny. The business soon grew to include more stockists across the south west of England and then further afield. Ben drove many miles in the early years, finding new stockists who chose their walking sticks from the back of a van.

Buy Classic Canes Sticks at www.walkingsticksonline.co.uk

In the late 1980s, the company started exhibiting at trade fairs, which enabled new accounts to be opened across the UK and overseas. The range of walking sticks grew too, to include such developments as folding walking sticks and ladies’ size walking sticks.

By the millennium, Classic Canes had established itself as a leading supplier of walking sticks and was well known for the good quality of its products. Johnny Porter worked hard to establish the Classic Canes workshop, which specialises in small scale production of specialist walking sticks, mostly using the ash, hazel and blackthorn wood grown on site.

Charlotte Porter rejoined the firm in 2003 after working in the luxury goods trade. She persuaded the family to start branding the walking sticks with the Classic Canes name and developed the marketing of the company to further enhance its reputation and prestige.

We have just recently replaced the brass and steel ferrules (order codes 2205 and 2204) with a new type, the H type ferrule. These ferrules are taller and have a thick 4mm base. They taper more than the other ferrules, so when you fit one to the end of your walking stick, you will need to taper the end of the cane for a snug fit.

The H metal ferrule is available in the following (outside diameter of the open end) sizes:
10mm, 12mm, 15mm, 16mm, 17.5mm, 18.5mm, 19.5mm, 20.5mm, 21.5mm, 22.5mm, 23.5mm, 25mm

Please read the article below on how to fit a metal ferrule to your walking stick.

How to fit a metal ferrule on to your walking stick
First of all select a metal ferrule (usually brass or steel) with a diameter that is the same or a millimetre or two less than the diameter of the stick shank at the tip.

Then measure the depth of the ferrule (with your finger or a pen) and then mark the tip of the stick to the same depth.

Next score a line around the tip of the stick with a stanley knife. This line marks where the metal ferrule will come up to. Basically, you want to attach the ferrule so that the outside rim of it is flush with the stick.

Using your stanley knife, cutting away from you and your other hand, cut away from the score line to the tip. You are creating a tapered tip so that the ferrule will fit over perfectly.

Keep going all the way around the tip and stop from time to time to see if the ferrule will fit over it. Try and keep the scored line nice and neat and as straight as possible. You are aiming for a tight fit to prevent the ferrule from falling off the end.

When the ferrule will fit over the tapered tip (quite tightly) it is time to mix together the two parts of the epoxy resin glue. You can also use ordinary super glue.

Apply the glue to the tip and to the inside of your ferrule and then push the ferrule on it. Give the stick a tap on the floor a few times to make sure the ferrule is securely attached. Then leave to dry for 5 minutes.

You can also pinch on the ferrule by hammering a nail into the sides of the ferrule or crimp it in a vice, but you don’t have to.

Order code bt51: Ram’s horn handled small shepherd’s crook. We are looking for a new supply of these as they were great sellers. The ram’s horn starts out all rough, hollow and unusable and then the stick maker compresses and polishes it into a marvellous and beautiful object to adorn a natural wooden stick. As you can probably tell, we will miss these ones and can’t wait to find some more!

Order code 210: Compass topped brass cane. Gadget or system sticks are my personal favourites, so it’s sad to see the last of these sticks. The ball topped handle had a compass inlaid in the very top.

Order code 2420: Hand carved duck handled walking stick. This is certainly a walking stick to miss. Hand carved wood work is incredibly time consuming and difficult as well as a beautiful art. It is therefore understandable that these sticks will not be available all of the time, no stick maker is that patient!

The hand carved sticks now available on the website are one-of-a-kind sticks, some will be made to order and some will have been photographed and described for sale once only. we cannot stress enough how special these sticks are and how we appreciate the many hours of work it takes to produce each one.

Discontinued Folding Sticks: we have lost a few of the folding sticks but we have added many more, so there is still something for everyone!

Hi Emily,
The stick has arrived today and we are thrilled. Thanks for your help. Linda

May 24th 2016

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Dear Emily

The Shepherd’s Crook for Bishop Ric arrived today and it is absolutely wonderful, thank you so very much.

With kind regards

Andrea

May 13th 2016

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The cane arrived and it is beautiful! It’s going to be the perfect gift for my friend especially since this is the year of Shakespeare’s 400th birthday and my friend teaches Shakespeare literature. Thank you so much.

May 7th 2016

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I am not sure if this is the correct email for direct contact with Emily but I am sure this message will be passed on to her. I recently had a chat with her on the phone re. a faulty stick or one In could not get to tighten up properly Derby cane 99 and she sent me a replacement to pair with a stick from you folks thatI have had for some time as I now need two sticks . She sent me a Derby GEH 345 and it matches up very well. Thank you very much for taking the time and trouble to do this for me.
Yours Aye, Doreen

April 6th

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Hello, stick has arrived, brilliant, well pleased indeed. Rather glad there was a mix-up with previously ordered stick but as they say, every cloud has a silver lining. Now all I need is a nice sunny day to take a leisurely walk around the local park where I can show off this beautiful stick. Once again, thank you very much indeed
Regards
Terry

March 24th

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Thanks, it’s lovely & has attracted many compliments.
Ms Seabrook

March 23rd

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Looking for a walking stick for my father and came across your web site. OMG have learnt soooooo much about walking sticks. Fab web site my father thrilled to bits. Delivered to his door within 2 days. Thank you so much.

Alison

March 11th

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May I take this opportunity to thank you for the walking stick which arrived today at
3.45pm.
Thanks for all the help,
Have a happy mothers day,
Barrie

March 5th

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Received the above today. Many thanks for such quick service.

Carol

March 2nd

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Thank you. I found it a very good shopping experience.

Regards

Karen

February 22nd

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Dear Emily Hannah,

I have received both my walking sticks today (Saturday)

May I say excellent service and products, again

excellent in all respects. . . .

Kindest regards,

Nick

January 23rd

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Hi Emily,
Stick arrived 5mins ago.Once again many thanks,will not hesitate to recommend your
company for an excellent compassionate response and efficient service.
Allen W.

January 19th

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Hello Emily & Hannah,

Received the shillelagh this afternoon in good order. Thanks for the fast dispatch.

We have been very busy finishing our 2016 walking sticks catalogue and it is now ready. Order your free copy today and you will receive it in the post by the 23rd March. Please click on the following link to order:

We added hundreds of new sticks to our already vast range in 2015 and in January and February 2016, most of which are included in the new catalogue.

The catalogue includes our current prices and will be sent with an order form. You can either fill out the order form and order by post with a cheque or you can order from the website or order over the telephone instead. Either way, your order will be processed straight away with most orders being delivered the next working day.

We have included a page showing some of the handmade walking sticks but as this selection changes all of the time and the handmade sticks are all one-of-a-kind sticks, you will need to see the website for the current collection or order your custom designed stick over the telephone.

We are now using Yodel and UPS courier services as well as Royal Mail. We use Royal Mail for small items such as the folding sticks and the stick accessories. For parcels longer than 90cm we use Yodel for deliveries in Great Britain and UPS for orders overseas.

Both Yodel and UPS will send you a message by email or by mobile phone text to let you know the approximate delivery time. It is best to provide either of these details when you place an order with us so you can make sure you are in when your order is being delivered.

Just a brief note to let you know that the shooting stick was just delivered and got here in good condition! More importantly, my husband likes it very much!

Thanks for your brilliant service!
Kind regards, Valerie

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Hi

I love the stick it’s fabulous, I will be back for more..

Regards

Darren

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Thank you. Goods received in good condition. I am impressed with the service and speed of delivery.

Valerie

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Hi
Just to say thanks. Stick arrived today (3rd working day) and I am very pleased with it. The Gold Glitter Harlequin finish is stunning and the adjustable height perfect (I’m 6’6″ so need a longer stick).
Regards
John

We just love hearing the wonderful comments we get about our walking sticks and our customer service. We are just a small, family run business, working with friends and local suppliers so good feedback means a lot to us.

Here are a few of the latest comments;

“Dear Hannah,

I just wanted to let you know how the Story ended. The stick was delivered on Monday and I took it to my mum in the afternoon. The stick was still wrapped, so she didn´t know, what was waiting for her. When she unpacked it, her eyes grew bigger and bigger and finally all she could say was “This is my stick!”. And then she burst into tears, because she was so happy (meanwhile we also do know, who had stolen the other stick, but alas cannot prove it.)

Thank you for making an old Lady very happy!!! I will recommend your shop to my friends, who also have elderly parents. 🙂

Best wishes from Frankfurt

Claudia!”

and

“Hi Emily

I just wanted to let you know that the walking sticks have arrived this afternoon, and we are really pleased with them. They will make lovely retirement presents for our colleagues.

Thank you so much for your help with everything.

Kind regards, Liz”

and

“May I take this opportunity to thank you for your prompt delivery, although I only received your email at 1pm today my order was delivered by lunch time yesterday (Wednesday )
The stick has proved to be just what I wanted and has already been put into service.
Kind regards
Nick”

and

“Dear Emily and Emily-Team,

I want to send a hearty “thank you” for the walking stick you manufactured for my friend. He is very happy about it!

Kind regards and much success for your business

Christina Wiedenmann”

and

“Hi Emily,I have now received the stick – it is great, thank you very much for your help in getting this done. I’m sure my Dad will be very pleased with his present.

Regards

Emma”

and

“Dear Emilyhannah .

My new owl walking stick arrived a few moments ago , when I opened the well packed package to view my new owl stick ,it felt like it was Christmas and I was young again , which alas I am not , but what a wonderful piece of craftsmanship.
I would like to thank you both for your excellent service, next day delivery ! Wow ,! I have always been amazed at the up to 28 days sort of comment from mail order companies, please I would always be delighted to trade with you, I notice you do other products and would like to receive your brochure if you have one, there are many birthdays etc in my extended family , yours sincerely
Bryon Clarke”

and

“Hello, thank you for my stick, delivered this morning, it is great, really pleased with it.
The service I have had off you has been brilliant.
I cut the stick and managed to get the brass ferrule off and so do not need any sent.
Once again thank you for a great service.

Come and see our recently uploaded walking stick videos. We have just uploaded about forty videos to Youtube about the different types of walking sticks and canes you can buy at Emilyhannah Ltd.

Each short video shows the full length view and a close up of the handle of an example of all the categories we sell. For example there is just one video about Derby Canes.

The one screen text explains what each stick is good for and the various features. Each video also has a voice over to listen to and a transcript if you would prefer to read instead.

If you want to know more about any of the sticks featured in the videos, just click on the link to have a browse or to go shopping!

We are currently working on some more videos so that we have everything covered. So maybe subscribe to our channel to keep updated.

We think these videos are useful to explain to someone (perhaps somebody who wants to buy a you a walking stick as a gift) why a stick has a particular handle or what kind of stick is a thumbstick. Each sixty second video tells you everything you need to know about each type.

If you think we have missed anything, or you would like to see a particular video, please contact us via the website. Enjoy!